Brad Underwood’s team will be facing off against Tennessee in 2023 and 2024 in a home-and-home series. Underwood had a lot of praise for Rick Barnes and the job that’s been done in Knoxville.

Underwood often reaches out to Barnes while on the recruiting trail and has known the Tennessee coach for a long time. Underwood especially loves home-and-home series because the fans deserve to see the team play the best in their own building.

“I’ve known Rick (Barnes) a long time,” said Underwood. “He’s been very successful. We talk out on the road (recruiting). He’s a guy I have a lot of respect for. I love home-and-homes. Our students & fans deserve to see us play the best in our building.”

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The first game of the series will take place in Knoxville on Dec. 9, 2023. The Fighting Illini will face the Volunteers in Champaign on Dec. 14, 2024. It’ll be orange vs. orange for the next couple of years it seems.